NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The 59th Street Bridge was ready for its close up Saturday, but drivers were not.

The upper level of the bridge was closed well before dawn and stayed closed for the better part of the night. The closure was put in place to make way for the cast and crew of the upcoming movie “The Dark Knight Rises,” but with bumper to bumper traffic greeting drivers trying to cross the East River, Batman wasn’t gaining any fans.

“Right now I don’t want to watch that movie,” one driver said.

Drivers were kept so far away they couldn’t even watch the stars in action from their vantage point. Production trucks and trailers were parked nearby.

One Comment

I don’t mind the movie productions they come do there business and go.
What repulses me is naming the Queensboro bridge after that crook Ed Koch.
But no one knows anymore who Major Deagan was and Koch’s name
will fade as well over the years,his ego however will still be around to make sure
no one will call this bridge the 2nd name it was given by non crook New yawker’s
the 59th Street bridge.

It may be good for the city, but was poorly produced by Bloomberg’s office. On Saturday night, Lexington Avenue was also shut down due to a street fair making for total gridlock on the eastside. I had tickets for a concert at the Beacon Theater at 7:30, left my apt. on 37th at 6:30 and got there at 8:10. Inexcusable!!! (Not to mention the price of the cab)!

If production trucks and trailers take away parking from the neighborhood, suspend Alternate Side Parking for an equal number of streets nearby; if a major artery for traffic is closed (e.g. The 59th Street Bridge), suspend construction work around the area to allow for the increased traffic to flow freely. Just a thought. Makes sense to me.

Yes, it is good for the city and no it is poorly arranged and organized. Couldn’t they have scheduled it for a weekday? Was stuck on 57th for over and hour and would have taken a different route if signs were posted, plus they had Lexington shut down. What genius decided to let them do it during peak hours? Caused me to miss my pick up (Limo Driver) and lose money.